How to Link an IFC Project or File in Archicad?

Linking an IFC project or an IFC file in Archicad lets you efficiently manage repeated building blocks or parts without needing a large IFC file. Linking IFCs also lets the user have a reference of other team members’ contribution without needing to include that work in the Archicad project file. Follow these steps to successfully link an IFC file in your Archicad project.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Place Hotlink:
   • Go to File > External Content > Place Hotlink...
   • In the dialog box that appears, click Select Module...
   • In this dialog box, you can see a list of the available Hotlink modules, and the location of the source files.
   • Choose the IFC file you want to link and click Open to proceed with the linking process.
   • Alternatively, you can click New Module… which offers two options:
     • From File: Use this option to link an existing file on your computer or network.
     • From BIMcloud: Use this option to create a new module from a file stored on BIMcloud.
2. Select Translator:
   • In the Place Hotlink IFC process, select an IFC Translator to Import from a Template file.
   • If the required Translator doesn’t appear, look in a different template.
3. Open Options (Optional):
   • If in the previous step you can’t find the IFC Import Translator in the Archicad project file, from the New Linked Module dialog box, click Options to view the Open IFC Options.
   • If you can’t find the right setting, you can search for it by clicking Find Template... and looking for the Archicad template file with the .TPL extension.
4. Place Hotlink:
   • Click Select to return to the Place Hotlink dialog box.
   • Make sure the Elements’ Elevation option is set to Keep Elevation, to prevent the model from falling apart.
   • Click Place Hotlink...
5. Location of the Library Parts:
   • Choose where to store the library parts generated during IFC import.
   • The External location is recommended.
6. Paste Options:
   • When pasting Archicad elements copied from the Clipboard, the Paste Options dialog box appears if the pasted elements cannot appear in full in the Window at the current zoom level, or if it is possible to locate the pasted elements relative to the Active view or a Reference view.
   • Center of the Current View: Pastes the Clipboard contents into the centre of the current view, regardless of the pasted elements’ source view origin.
   • Original Location: Pastes the Clipboard contents into the current view at the same position as in the original source view (i.e. relative to the source view’s origin).
   • Reference Location: Pastes the Clipboard contents into the current view relative to the origin of the Reference view. This option is only available if a Reference view is shown; if the Reference view’s origin is at a different location from the Active view’s origin; and if that Reference view is of the same type (for example, Floor Plan) as the Clipboard contents.
   • Zoom Options:
     • Keep Current View: After the Paste command, the currently active window will stay at the same zoom level as before.
     • Zoom to Pasted Elements: After the Paste command, the current window will zoom in to the newly pasted elements.

Additional Tips and Best Practices

1. Manage Layers Efficiently:
   • Switch off layers for unnecessary objects to improve performance. Focus on essential elements such as the building envelope for rendering.
2. Update Links Regularly:
   • Keep your links up to date by regularly checking the status of the source files in the Hotlink Module Manager. This helps avoid issues with missing or outdated references.
3. Troubleshoot Common Issues:
   • If you experience freezes or performance issues, try removing add-ons or custom libraries that may be causing conflicts.

By following these steps and incorporating these tips, you can successfully link an IFC file in your Archicad project, letting you use repeated building blocks or parts efficiently without needing a large IFC file. If you have any questions or need further help, don’t hesitate to ask us!